According to UNAIDS, about 5.8 million people were infected worldwide in
1997, up from the 3.1 million people doctors had originally estimated. "The
full impact of the epidemic in terms of AIDS mortality is only just
beginning," said the report — adding there could be a total of 40 million
cases worldwide by 2000.

If that doesn't bring it home, try this: While 1 in 100 have HIV, only
10 percent of those infected know they have the virus. And remember, despite the success
of protease inhibitors in battling the symptoms, there is no known cure.